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Grotto Master's Handbook You Have Taken a New Step in Your Journey Along the Left-Hand Path

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Grotto Master's Handbook You Have Taken a New Step in Your Journey Along the Left-Hand Path Church of Satan Grotto Master's Handbook You have taken a new step in your journey along the Left-hand Path. This step provides an opportunity for added respect and satisfaction, but also for added risk. Choose well, act resolutely and keep close counsel with Satan. This book is intended for your eyes alone. You won't find "TOP SECRET" stamped on it - only this reminder of Anton LaVey's teachings regarding the power of keeping a secret. This book and this position have come to you now because of the level you've achieved in your quest. Don't cheapen your achievement or compromise your power by disclosing the knowledge contained here to others who haven't advanced themselves to this point through the same first-hand horrors, determination and inspiration you've experienced. 2 Table of Contents Introduction 1) General Administration 2) Public Relations and Media Procedures 3) Direction and Destiny 4) Devils Together 5) Leadership-Strength and Strategy 6) Satanic Spirituality 7) Suggested Grotto Activities 8) Diabolical Theatre 9) Security Appendices: A) Sycophants, Unite! B) Initiation Ritual C) Essential Satanism D) Further Reading E) Necessary forms to be photocopied 3 Introduction Since 1966, when Anton Szandor LaVey founded the first aboveground organization dedicated to honoring Satan and his principles, the Church of Satan has woven its influence into the fabric of society, through overt and covert means. Grotto participation isn't required for active members, but many Satanists find it invigorating and inspiring to be in contact with others. We use the word "grotto" as a general term for an associated subgroup of the Church of Satan, consisting of members of the Church of Satan and adhering to our philosophy. "Grotto"- which actually comes from the Latin word for "crypt" or "vault"-has the appropriate connotation of diabolical, hidden rites taking place in dank, ancient sepulchers consecrated in the Names of the Evil Ones. In forming your group, you don't have to use the term "grotto" per se if you feel more comfortable with Order, Corps, Troupe, Troop, Society, Coalition, Tribe, Pack, Temple, Garrison, League, Lodge, Cabal. Consult your thesaurus for other imaginative possibilities. More important than the name is your clear understanding of Satanism, your unswerving dedication to the Church of Satan, and your commitment to promote and apply Satanic values in the world. It only takes you to make a grotto - you, your family, a friend - and you may choose to keep it that way. That will depend on where you want to apply your ambition. This is an organization for non-joiners, and many of our finest people choose not to be involved in group activities of any kind. They want to concentrate their full energy toward their own advancement and then contribute to the Church of Satan through that power. You'll never know where all our grottos are located or who among the thousands of people you encounter in your life may be Satanists. But you'll benefit from their help when you need it if they know you're a Satanist. You'll encounter a wide range of people in your role as Grotto Master. Be warned: Many you attract won't understand the first thing about Satanism. Since The Satanic Bible advocates selfishness and indulgence, there will be those who think that means they can do whatever they want and call it Satanism, no matter how anti-Satanic their actions may be. There will be those who just want to use Satanism as a cheap identity. You may run across kids who just want sex, drugs and rock and roll; some may want to sacrifice cats and babies; others may want orgies or to see redheaded nude altars; some "sincere inquirers" may want to attend a Satanic ritual "just to see what it's like" (this request is usually accompanied by a giggle); they may be Christians or misguided law enforcement associates who want to "infiltrate" to expose our evil network once and for all. You can deal with all of these types confidently with the instructions in this book. Most of this information, however, will concentrate on true Satanists who want to feel connected to the full force of the Church of Satan through you. Satanism has all the elements to qualify it to become the major religion of the 21st century. You are a part of creating that future. Many who are devoted Satanists may have nothing in common except their Satanism. But if that is deeply-felt, it will be enough to bind us strongly together. That is one thing that makes us unusual. The finest of our Advocates exemplify a sense of discipline, determination, and destiny that sets them apart from the crowd and 4 marks them as one of Satan's Own. This handbook will instruct you on how you can serve as a Grotto Master in a way that will honor Satan and His church. Section One General Administration 5 We try to keep "administrivia" to a bare minimum but any large organization requires at least a modicum of structure and paperwork, so that we present a cohesive and coordinated front. It's easier for you to meet requirements and standards if they are clearly mapped out for you. For some people, structure, no matter how minimal and benign, is an invitation for rebellion; for others, it's a tool for their own self-discipline and productivity. Your progress will reflect what your personal predispositions are. You are obviously expected to be intimate with all of Dr. LaVey's writings and principles in order to clearly represent Satanism so they won't be covered here. It's presumed that your activities and representation will reflect that familiarity and be in keeping with the tenets of the Church of Satan. The Nine Satanic Statements, Eleven Rules of the Earth, Satanic Sins and Pentagonal Revisionism – the cornerstones of Satanic philosophy - are reprinted in the back of this handbook for ready reference. There are also several forms which can be photocopied and submitted as necessary (don't write on the originals). We require you to send in monthly status reports, to keep us informed of your activity level, public or media representation, and any problems you may have with your members or in your community. Your monthly report may be very simple - noting that you took your family to the park or gave an informational lecture at the local occult bookstore or conducted a Halloween ritual with friends. As your grotto grows, your reports will become more elaborate - you may include meeting minutes, flyers you've printed up, texts of significant rituals you've devised, media contact reports.... We also require yearly evaluations of your performance as Grotto Master, by other Church of Satan members and/or others who have benefited from your expertise. Again, these are "field reports", so we get an idea of how capably you're performing your duties. You can scan the other forms in Appendix E, which will be necessary as occasions arise. Your first duty, as a Satanist, is to yourself. Then to those you care about-your partner, your children, those in your family you choose to give your love to. Your third, self- appointed duty, is to the Church of Satan and your fellow members. You have chosen to shoulder these extra responsibilities because you feel an intensity of Satanic focus in your life, beyond what the average lay member may feel. Within this organization you'll find your leaders, your followers and your friends. We don't expect you to proselytize, but we do expect you to inform and clear up misinformation. We encourage Grotto Masters to have wives, husbands, mates or a similar stable relationship with someone who is also a Satanist, or is supportive of your increased involvement. A Grotto Master with a partner is more stable, loyal, consistent by nature and is not using the organization to "get girls", or boys, as the case may be. Someone in a mated situation has more to lose, and so is more cautious and forward- thinking when necessary. If you don't have a partner, you'll probably develop a second in command, a right-hand man (or woman) you can depend on to be consistent, loyal, trustworthy and strongly dedicated to Satanic principles and the Church of Satan in the same way you are. Your yearly grotto fees will be assessed on the basis of how many members you have in your grotto, on a sliding scale as described below: 6 $100/yr. for 1-20 members $200/yr. for 21-40 members $400/yr. for 41-60 members $600/yr. for 61-80 members $800/yr. for 81-100 members As a public representative, you'll reach many potential members and you'll receive $10 credit toward your yearly grotto fees for every direct Sponsorship of a new Church of Satan member (as noted in your monthly report and confirmed by the applicant's notation of you as his or her Sponsor on the initial membership registration form). It would be unSatanic for us to expect you to run your grotto at a financial loss to yourself. You'll no doubt charge a minimal annual participation charge for your consistent members, to cover your grotto fees and operating expenses. We would expect you to be paid for your time in the case of open introductory lectures (perhaps $4-5 at the door), speaking engagements and any magical consultations you may do. But we don't expect to you to take advantage of your position of trust.
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